EXECUTIVE MOVES

New CEO at AAFA

Friday, June 6, 2014

The American Apparel & Footwear Association, the Washington D.C.–based apparel and footwear association, named Juanita D. Duggan its chief executive officer, replacing Kevin M. Burke, who left the organization in January after 13 years with the organization.

Duggan is a longtime lobbyist who most recently served as policy director at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, the Washington D.C.-based firm she joined in 2010.

"Juanita has demonstrated time and again her relentlessness and dedication to succeed for her clients" said Rick Helfenbein, Chairman of AAFA, in a statement released by the association. "Her ability to lead organizations, develop coalitions, and successfully manage complex lobbying efforts and public affairs campaigns is quite impressive."

During her tenure at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Duggan joined worked with a range of clients, including some in the retail sector. From 1998 to 2006, she served as president and CEO of the Wine and Spirits Wholesalers of America. According to the AAFA, Duggan’s “efforts led Congress to pass a law nullifying a provision that eliminated an unfair tax advantage, ending a 20-year battle for U.S. wholesalers to access this key tax credit. She also led WSWA to victory with the 21st Amendment Enforcement Act, a law that reinforced the Constitution's grant of authority to the states over alcohol regulation.”

"I look forward to taking the reins at AAFA and building on the fine work of my predecessor, Kevin Burke," Duggan said. "This is a great opportunity to up the association's game in an era of fast-paced change in the industry and the policy world. The apparel and footwear industry is a key driver of economic growth in the U.S. and globally. I can't wait to tell their story."

Burke, who started with the AAFA in 2001, is currently president and chief executive of the Airports Council International–North America.